One of few remaining Merrill's Marauders recognized
New London — Rocco DeLuca was one of 3,000 men who volunteered for a mission so secret, even they didn't know where they were going.
On Friday, the 97-year-old was recognized by Norwich officials for his World War II service with the famed operations jungle warfare unit known as Merrill's Marauders.
In its eight months of existence, Merrill's Marauders, formally known as the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), was tasked with taking out Japanese supply lines in enemy-controlled areas in the China-Burma-India theater. The men always traveled by night, and often engaged Japanese forces far superior in number.
The unit is recognized as the predecessor of today's Army Rangers, a large-scale special operations force.
Recognizing that men like DeLuca are scarce — his daughter, Joyce Horey said there's just nine Merrill's Marauders left — Bill Nash, a self-proclaimed history buff and president pro tempore of the Norwich City Council, got the mayor and the council to craft a proclamation thanking DeLuca for his service. Nash recited it to DeLuca in person Friday.
DeLuca previously lived in Norwich but now is a resident at Beechwood rehabilitation center in New London, which provides both short-term and long-term care, and that is where Friday's ceremony was held. Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom and several veterans from the Norwich area also attended, as did New London Mayor Michael Passero, who welcomed DeLuca to the city and thanked him for his service.
With a little prodding from his daughter, DeLuca remembered some aspects of his service, such as the hand grenades and canned food he carried while making his way through the jungle.
He was a medic before he became an infantryman and joined the unit.
Horey, DeLuca's daughter, said she didn't find out what her father did during the war until about seven years ago, when the Groton Elks Club honored him and put together a history of his service.
His daughter said he shies away from the recognition. "He goes, 'Joycey, that was a long time ago.' He's very humble. He doesn't really talk about it."
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